"Another thing," Al Snead continued, addressing Maurice Hale, "we'd better make up a new code. Those girls that have been gettin' too close to our operation just might notify the cops."

"All right," the Chief responded. "I'll work one out in a day or two."

He called on another member of the organization for a report. "Two hundred packages passed, sir."

"Good!" the leader exclaimed, rubbing his thin hands. "Now, if you'll follow me to the work room, I'll give you each your cut, and dole out the stuff for next week."

Nancy and her friends could not have retreated had they wished, and certainly did not want to leave when they seemed so near the truth! But the situation in which they found themselves was a foreboding one and the very atmosphere of the room was tense and frightening. Boldly they followed the others into an adjoining chamber which was brilliantly lighted with torches.

Though prepared for the unexpected, the girls were taken completely aback at the sight which greeted their eyes!

CHAPTER XVIITense Moments

Nancy's first impression on entering was that the chamber appeared to be a cross between a printing shop and a United States mint.

"Counterfeiters!" she thought excitedly.

Hand presses stood about and several engraved plates had been left on a table. Various chemicals and inks were in evidence. Neat stacks of paper money lined one wall and other bills were scattered carelessly on the floor. Never in all her life had Nancy seen so much money! The room was cluttered with it. Twenty-dollar bills appeared to be everywhere. Money, still damp, was drying on tables. Nancy observed that all the bills seemed to be of the twenty-dollar denomination.

At last she had the answer to the many questions which had been troubling her! This was the secret of the cave! The latest racket of the Hale Syndicate! The nature cult was a hoax, its so-called mysterious rites used only as a screen to hide the work of a clever band of counterfeiters!